Computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, terminal device, and information processing system

ABSTRACT

A computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium storing a program that causes a terminal device to perform: transmitting, to a first server device, a bonus request to give a first user a bonus corresponding to a second user, the first user being one of the plurality of first service users, and the first user and the second user each being one of the plurality of second service users. The bonus may be given upon determination that the second identification information of the second user is included in list information associated with the first user, the list information comprising the second identification information of each of one or more of the plurality of second service users associated with the first user. The bonus corresponding to the second user may be given to the first user in the first service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No.16/202,859, filed on Nov. 28, 2018, which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-230790,filed on Nov. 30, 2017. The subject matter of each of the aboveapplications is incorporated herein by reference in entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a computer-readable non-transitorystorage medium storing a program, a terminal device, and an informationprocessing system.

BACKGROUND

There has been known an information processing system that includes aninformation processing apparatus such as a server device and a terminaldevice, and provides a predetermined service to a user. For example,Japanese Patent No. 5841280 discloses a game system that includes aserver device and a plurality of terminal devices, and provides a gamein which users compete against each other.

Promotion of user's access to services provided through informationprocessing apparatus has been desired. For example, use of a pluralityof different services by users may be promoted through collaborationbetween the services.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, one object of the discloser is to provide aprogram, a terminal device, and an information processing system forencouraging users to use services provided through informationprocessing apparatuses.

A program according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when executed,causes a terminal device communicable with a first server device thatstores first identification information uniquely identifying a pluralityof users and a second server device that stores second identificationinformation uniquely identifying the plurality of users, to perform: astep of transmitting, to the first server device, a first instruction tostore the second identification information of a first user among theplurality of users in association with the first identificationinformation of the first user; a step of obtaining, from the firstserver device, a notification of completion of a process responding tothe first instruction; a step of displaying the completion of theprocess responding to the first instruction; a step of transmitting, tothe first server device, a second instruction to give the first user abonus corresponding to a second user among the plurality of users, whenthe second identification information of the second user is included inlist information including the second identification information ofother users associated with the first user in the second server device;a step of obtaining, from the first server device, a notification ofcompletion of a process responding to the second instruction; and a stepof displaying completion of the process responding to the secondinstruction.

A terminal device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes:a communication unit capable of communicating with a first server devicethat stores first identification information uniquely identifying aplurality of users and a second server device that stores secondidentification information uniquely identifying the plurality of users;a display unit; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to:transmit, to the first server device, a first instruction to store thesecond identification information of a first user among the plurality ofusers in association with the first identification information of thefirst user; obtain, from the first server device, a notification ofcompletion of a process responding to the first instruction; display thecompletion of the process responding to the first instruction on thedisplay unit; transmit, to the first server device, a second instructionto give the first user a bonus corresponding to a second user among theplurality of users, when the second identification information of thesecond user is included in list information including the secondidentification information of other users associated with the first userin the second server device; obtain, from the first server device, anotification of completion of a process responding to the F secondinstruction; and display the completion of the process responding to thesecond instruction on the display unit.

An information processing system according to an embodiment of thedisclosure includes: a first server device that stores firstidentification information uniquely identifying a plurality of users;and a terminal device capable of communicating with the first serverdevice and a second server device that stores second identificationinformation uniquely identifying the plurality of users. The terminaldevice transmits a first instruction to the first server device, inresponse to the first instruction from the terminal device, the firstserver device stores the second identification information of a firstuser among the plurality of users in association with the firstidentification information of the first user, the terminal devicetransmits a second instruction to the first server device, and inresponse to the second instruction from the terminal device, the firstserver device gives the first user a bonus corresponding to a seconduser among the plurality of users, when the second identificationinformation of the second user is included in list information includingthe second identification information of other users associated with thefirst user in the second server device.

With the program, terminal device, and information processing apparatusaccording to one embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to useservices provided by using information processing apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing systemaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates information stored in a first server device.

FIG. 3 illustrates information stored in a second server device.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a first screen displayed by a terminaldevice.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a second screen displayed by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a third screen displayed by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a fourth screen displayed by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a fifth screen displayed by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a sixth screen displayed by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a first operation of theinformation processing system.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation of theinformation processing system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter described.

Configuration of Information Processing System

With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of an information processingsystem 1 according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.The information processing system 1 includes a first server device 10, asecond server device 20, and one or more terminal devices 30. AlthoughFIG. 1 shows the three terminal devices 30 for the sake of convenience,any number of terminal devices 30 may be provided.

The first server device 10 is an information processing apparatus suchas a server used for providing a service. In this embodiment, a serviceprovided by using the first server device 10 is described as a gameservice that provides a game to users, however it is not limited tothis. For example, an information distribution service, a socialnetworking service, a cloud storage service, a net shopping service, orthe like may be provided. Hereinafter, a service provided through thefirst server device 10 may also be referred to as a first service. Forexample, the first server device 10 may be managed by a provider of thefirst service.

The game in the embodiment includes one or more game parts. At least oneof the one or more game parts may be executed using a game contentdescribed later. During execution of a game part, a game content may beoperated, for example, by a user or AI (Artificial Intelligence). The AImay be realized by a processor provided in the first server device 10 orthe terminal device 30, for example.

The game content is electronic data used in a game and may be any mediumsuch as a card, an item, a virtual currency, a ticket, a character, anavatar, level information, status information, parameter information(health, attack, and the like), and statics information (skills,abilities, magic, jobs and the like). The game content may be obtained,possessed, used, managed, exchanged, integrated, reinforced, sold,discarded, or donated by a user in a game. However, how game contentsare used in a game may not be limited to those described in thisspecification.

In the following description, unless explicitly stated otherwise, a“game content possessed by a user” refers to a game content associatedwith a user ID with which the user can be identified uniquely.“Imparting a game content to a user” refers to associating the gamecontent with the user ID. “Discarding a game content that a userpossesses” refers to dissolving the association between the user ID andthe game content. “Consuming a game content that a user possesses” meansthat some effect or influence may be exerted in the game in accordancewith the dissolution of the association between the user ID and the gamecontent. “Selling a game content that a user possesses” refers todissolving the association between the user ID and the game content andreassociating the user ID with another game content (such as virtualcurrency or an item). “Transferring a game content possessed by user Ato user B” refers to dissolving the association between the user ID ofthe user A and the game content and reassociating the user ID of theuser B with the game content. “Creating a game content” refers todefining or determining at least a part of information about the gamecontent.

A game part may include any content that a user is able to play in thegame. For example, a game part may include contents such as a quest, amission, a mini game, acquisition, training, reinforcement andintegration of a game content, exploring in a virtual space, and abattle with an opponent (e.g., other user, enemy character, enemybuilding and the like). For each game part, one or more predeterminedgame tasks may be set. For example, when it is determined that one ormore predetermined game tasks set for each game part played by a userare successfully satisfied, a game content or the like may be given tothe user as a reward An example of the game task include, for example,winning a battle against an enemy character, reaching a goal point in avirtual space, maintaining a user's character so as not to fall in apredetermined state (for example, a state where the character's healthis zero, which will be described later), or any tasks according to thecontents of the game part can be adopted. Completion of a specific task(a task to be completed) among one or more game tasks set in a game partmay also be referred to as clearing of the game part. When a user whoplays a game part succeeds in completing the task to be completed, itmay be determined that the user cleared the game part and the game partmay be ended

One or more game parts may include a single-player game part and amulti-player game part. The single-player game part may include, forexample, a game part executed on the basis of a single user operation onone terminal device 30 used by the user (for example, a game part thatis to be played by only one player). For example, the terminal device 30alone executes the single-player game part or in conjunction with thefirst server device 10. On the other hand, multi-player game parts mayinclude a game part that is common to two or more users and executed onthe basis of users' operations on two or more terminal devices 30 usedby the two or more users (for example, a game part that it to be playedby more than one player). The game part common to two or more users mayinclude, for example, a game part in which at least a part ofadvancement processing and processing results of the game part may becommonly applied to the two or more users. For example, the two or moreterminal devices 30 execute a multi-player game part in cooperation, orthe two or more terminal devices 30 and the first server device 10execute the multi-player game content in cooperation. The multi-playergame part may include a game part in which a plurality of users battleor cooperate in the game. One game part may compatible with both thesingle-play and the multiplay.

The second server device 20 is an information processing apparatus suchas a server used for providing a service. In this embodiment, theservice provided by using the second server device 20 is described as aninformation distribution service that allows specific or any users toaccess to messages, pictures and the like posted by a user. However itis not limited to this. For example, a game service, a social networkingservice, a cloud storage service, a net shopping service, or the likemay be provided through the second server device 20. Specifically, theinformation distribution service may include existing services such asTwitter (registered trademark), Instagram (registered trademark), andFacebook (registered trademark). Hereinafter, a service provided throughthe second server device 20 may also be referred to as a second service.As will be described later, the second server device 20 may function asan authorization server and a resource server in authenticationprocessing concerning linking between the first service and the secondservice. The second server device 20 may be managed by, for example, aprovider of the second service. In the embodiment, it is assumed thatthe provider of the second service is different from the provider of theabove-described first service.

The terminal device 30 may be an information processing apparatus usedby a user, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet device, apersonal computer (PC) and a game machine. The terminal device 30 iscapable of executing any application such as an application forreceiving the first service, an application for receiving the secondservice, and a browser application for reproducing information resourceson a network. In this embodiment, the network may include, for example,the Internet. The application may be obtained from a predeterminedapplication distribution server over a network by the terminal device 30or may be stored in advance in a storage device provided in the terminaldevice 30 or in a storage medium such as a memory card or the likereadable by the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 iscommunicably connected to the first server device 10 and the secondserver device 20 over a network.

The first server device 10 and the terminal device 30 perform variousprocesses concerning a game in conjunction with each other. For example,the first server device 10 and the terminal device 30 may shareexecution of a series of processes. Further, for example, the firstserver device 10 and the terminal device 30 may execute the identicalprocess. With respect to the identical process, when the processingresults match between the first server device 10 and the terminal device30, the first server device 10 and the terminal device 30 may finish theprocess. Whereas when the processing results do not match between thefirst server device 10 and the terminal device 30, the first serverdevice 10 and the terminal device 30 may determine that the processingresult of the first server device 10 is the correct result and finishthe process, or the process may go back to the state before theexecution of the identical process. In such a configuration, forexample, even when a communication quality between the first serverdevice 10 and the terminal device 30 is temporarily deteriorated, alikelihood of immediate interruption of processing is low. Further, inthe terminal device 30, even if an illegal process such as rewriting ofa game parameter is performed, it is possible to increase a likelihoodthat the illegal process can be eliminated. The second server device 20and the terminal device 30 also perform various processes concerninginformation distribution in conjunction with each other. For example,the second server device 20 and the terminal device 30 may shareexecution of a series of processes.

A user using the first service can follow other users who use the firstservice in the first service. In the embodiment, “a user follows anotheruser in the service” encompasses associating the user with another userwithin the service. For example, one user associated with another usermay be able to view information such as a message transmitted by theassociated other user in the service, or browsing the informationtransmitted by the associated other user in the service may befacilitated (for example, by a simpler operation than usual) for theuser. In the same manner, a user using the second service can followother users who use the second service. In the embodiment,identification information for uniquely identifying a user and listinformation (hereinafter also referred to as a follow list) listingother users that the user has followed are created and storedindependently for each service. For example, the identificationinformation (first identification information) and the follow list (afirst follow list) of a user in the first service are different from theidentification information (second identification information) and thefollow list (a second follow list) of the user in the second service.

In the embodiment, collaboration with the second service is performed inthe game related to the first service. More specifically, for users whouse both the first service and the second service, association betweenthe first identification information, and the second identificationinformation and the second follow list is performed. Further, in theembodiment, the state of a user in the first service may change from anormal state to a specific state, which will be described later. A bonusthat can be used in the first service is given to a user who isfollowing a prescribed other user in the second service. According tothis, a user is able to receive the bonus that can be used in the firstservice by following the prescribed other user in the second service. Inthis way, it is possible to give users motivation to use both the firstservice and the second service. Therefore, use of both the first serviceand the second service by users is promoted. The details of theembodiment will be now described below.

Configuration of First Server Device

The configuration of the first server device 10 will be specificallydescribed. The first server device 10 includes a first servercommunication unit 11, a first server storage unit 12, and a firstserver control unit 13.

The first server communication unit 11 includes one or more interfacesthat communicate with external devices in a wired or wireless manner andtransmit and receive information thereto/therefrom. The first servercommunication unit 11 may include, for example, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) communication module or a wired LAN communication module.The first server communication unit 11 is able to transmit and receiveinformation to and from the second server device 20 and the terminaldevices 30 respectively over the network.

The first server storage unit 12 includes one or more memory units. Forexample, the memory unit may include a semiconductor memory, a magneticmemory, an optical memory, or the like. The first server storage unit 12may serves as, for example, a primary storage or a secondary storage.The first server storage unit 12 may be built in the first server device10 or may be connected to the first server device 10 via an interface.The first server storage unit 12 stores information and programs usedfor processing of a game. At least a part of the information andprograms stored in the first server storage unit 12 may be shared andsynchronized with the terminal devices 30.

For example, the first server storage unit 12 stores informationconcerning a plurality of users using the first service. FIG. 2illustrates information concerning two users among the plurality ofusers. The information concerning users may include any informationunique to the users. For example, the information concerning usersincludes the first identification information and user firstinformation. When the above-mentioned second identification informationand the second follow list are obtained by the first server device 10,the second identification information and the second follow list may beadded to the information concerning users. In the information concerningusers, the user first information, the second identificationinformation, and the second follow list are each associated with thefirst identification information.

The first identification information is information that can uniquelyidentify users in the first service. The first identificationinformation may be, for example, a user name or a user ID used in thefirst service. The first identification information may be determinedautomatically, for example, when a user starts using the first service,or based on an user input. Hereinafter, the first identificationinformation of a user may also be simply referred to as a “user”.

The user first information includes, for example, the first follow listand a status flag. The first follow list includes first identificationinformation of other users associated with a user represented by thefirst identification information in the first service. The status flagindicates the state of the user represented by the first identificationinformation in the first service. In this embodiment, the state that auser can take in the first service include the normal state and thespecific state. The states of a user will be described in detail later.Details of the second identification information and the second followlist will be also described later.

The user first information may further include any information otherthan the first follow list and the status flag. For example, the userfirst information may further include account information for the userto use the first service, an image or an avatar of the user used in thefirst service, and a game content possessed by the user in a gamerelated to the first service.

The information stored in the first server storage unit 12 is notlimited to the above examples. The first server storage unit 12 mayfurther store any information used for operations of the first serverdevice 10.

The first server control unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or moreprocessors. The processor may include a general purpose processor and adedicated processor dedicated to a specific processing. The first servercontrol unit 13 controls operations of the first server device 10 as awhole.

For example, the first server control unit 13 stores, in the firstserver storage unit 12, various types of information and programs usedfor processing a game. The information used for the processing of a gamemay include the above-mentioned information concerning a user who usesthe first service.

For example, the first server control unit 13 performs transmission andreception of information via the first server communication unit 11. Thefirst server control unit 13 may transmit at least a part of informationstored in the first server storage unit 12 to the terminal device(s) 30.In this way, the information stored in the first server storage unit 12and the information stored in the terminal device(s) 30 may be sharedand synchronized with each other. A timing at which sharing andsynchronization of the information is performed may include, forexample, when new information is stored in the first server storage unit12, when information stored in the first server storage unit 12 isupdated, but may be any predetermined timing. Further, for example, thefirst server control unit 13 may retrieve any information input,determined, or generated in the terminal device(s) 30 via the firstserver communication unit 11.

For example, the first server control unit 13 performs processing of agame in cooperation with the terminal device(s) 30. More specifically,the first server control unit 13 cooperates with the terminal device 30to control the state of a user who uses the terminal device 30 in thefirst service. The state of a user in the first service may include thestate of the user in a game related to the first service. In thisembodiment, the state of a user in the first service is either thenormal state or the specific state. For example, the first servercontrol unit 13 and the terminal device 30 may change the state of auser from the normal state to the specific state in response tooccurrence of a first event related to the user. The first event mayinclude an event occurring in the game played by the user. For example,the first event may include an event in which the user uses a gamecontent such as a predetermined item in the game. The first servercontrol unit 13 and the terminal device 30 may dissolve the specificstate of the user after the elapse of a certain period of time. Forexample, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user enteredthe specific state, the state of the user is switched to the normalstate. Alternatively, the first server control unit 13 and the terminaldevice 30 may end the specific state of the user according to the numberof times the user has caused a game effect which will be describedlater. For example, when the game effect is generated three times forthe user who is in the specific state, the state of the user is switchedto the normal state.

While the user using the terminal device 30 is in the specific state,the first server control unit 13 cooperates with the terminal device 30to cause a game effect in which the user can more advantageously playthe game in the game. The game effect may include, for example, aneffect in which the number of game contents and points that the user canacquire by game play or a parameter associated with a game content isincreased than in the normal case, but the invention is not limitedthereto. The game effect generated for the user may be enhanced when thenumber of other users who have, in their second follow list, the secondidentification information of the user in the specific state isincreased. Alternatively, each time the second identificationinformation of the user in the specific state is added to the secondfollow list(s) of other user(s), the game effect generated for the usermay be enhanced.

More specifically, in response to a first instruction from the terminaldevice 30, the first server control unit 13 acquires the secondidentification information of the user who uses the terminal device 30and stores the second identification information in association with thefirst identification information of the user. For example, the secondidentification information may be acquired from the terminal device 30or may be acquired from the second server device 20. Upon completion ofa series of processes in response to the first instruction, the firstserver control unit 13 transmits a notification of the completion of theseries of processes to the terminal device 30.

More specifically, in response to a second instruction from the terminaldevice 30, the first server control unit 13 acquires the latest secondfollow list of the user who uses the terminal device 30 and stores it inassociation with the first identification information of the user. Thesecond follow list may be acquired from the second server device 20using, for example, an API (Application Programming Interface)distributed by a provider of the second service. When the secondidentification information of another predetermined user (a second user)is included in the obtained second follow list, the first server controlunit 13 imparts, to the user, a bonus associated with the second user.For example, the second user includes a user who is in the specificstate in the first service as described above, but it is not limitedthereto. For example, in another embodiment in which the state of theuser switches between the normal state and the specific state in thesecond service, the second user may include the user who is in thespecific state in the second service.

In this embodiment in which the first service is a game service, thebonus may be, for example, allowing activation of a game function in thegame. The game function may include, for example, a function thatenables the user to play the game more advantageously, but it is notlimited thereto. The function that enables the user to play the gamemore advantageously may include, for example, a function in which thenumber of game contents and points that the user can obtain by game playor a parameter associated with a game content is increased than in thenormal case, but the invention is not limited thereto. The first servercontrol unit 13 cooperates with the terminal device 30 to enable thegame function corresponding to the bonus. In cooperation with theterminal device 30, the first server control unit 13 may disable anenabled game function, for example after the elapse of a certain periodof time. For example, when the specific state of another usercorresponding to the bonus is dissolved after the elapse of a certainperiod of time, the game function corresponding to the bonus may bedisabled. Further, for example, when an effective period is set for thebonus itself, the game function corresponding to the bonus may bedisabled when the effective period expires.

The condition for disabling the enabled game function is not limited tothe passage of time. For example, the number of times in which the gamefunctions is allowed to be enabled may be set in the bonus itself. Insuch a case, the first server control unit 13 may disable the gamefunction when the number of times of execution of the game processcorresponding to the enabled game function (for example, the process ofincreasing the points obtained by the user compared to the normal time)reaches the set number. In this case, the bonus of the predeterminednumber of times may be similarly associated with other user(s) whofollows the user that is associated with the bonus of the predeterminednumber of times of enabling the game function. Alternatively the gamefunction corresponding to the bonus may be disabled under any conditionsother than the effective period and the number of times of enabling, ora combination of two or more such conditions.

Here, the content of the bonus associated with the second user (that is,the content of the game effect to be generated for the second user) andthe content of the bonus associated with the first user following thesecond user (that is, the content of the game function corresponding tothe bonus given to the first user) may be the same or different. Also,the degree of the bonus given to the second user may be different fromthe degree of the bonus given to the first user. For example, in a casewhere the second user purchases a paid item and obtains a bonus in thefirst service (for example, a game effect in which points to be obtainedis increased by 100 points), an effect of a bonus given to the firstuser who follows the second user may be, for example, 10% of the bonusassociated with the second user (for example, a game function in whichpoints to be obtained increase by 10 points). In this way, it ispossible to make an opportunity to encourage the first user to purchasea paid item. Although the example in which the degree of the bonuseffect is expressed as a percentage has been described above, it shouldbe noted that the effective period of a game item and the like, thenumber of times a predetermined effect can be obtained, or the number ofgame contents, and the like may be different between the second user andthe first user.

Here, a plurality of enabled game functions may exist simultaneously. Inthis way, the first user is motivated to follow a plurality of users inthe second service. Furthermore, the number of the enabled gamefunctions that can exist simultaneously may be limited. For example, itis assumed that a bonus associated with the second user is 100% and thefirst user who follows the second user is given the effect of 10% of thebonus. Under such circumstances, assuming that the first user isfollowing 20 second users associated with the bonus, 200% of the effectof the bonus is associated with the first user. Here, by setting anupper limit for the number of the game functions to, for example, “5”,it is possible to limit the effect up to 50%. According to such aconfiguration, even when the number of other users in a specific stateincluded in the acquired second follow list as described above isrelatively large, the number of game functions actually effective isrestricted so that the game balance can be appropriately adjusted.

The content of the bonus is not limited to the above examples. Thefeature in which a bonus is given to users may also be adopted in otherembodiments where the first service is a service other than the gameservice. For example, in another embodiment where the first service isan online shopping service, a bonus may be a benefit of enabling, forexample, any function related to net shopping. The function may include,for example, a function that allows a user to purchase an item at alower price, a function that allows the user to purchase a specific itempreferentially over other users, etc. However, the function is notlimited to these. The bonus may be determined according to the contentof the first service.

Upon completion of the series of processes in response to the secondinstruction, the first server control unit 13 transmits a notificationof the completion of the series of processes to the terminal device 30.

More specifically, in response to a third instruction from the terminaldevice 30, the first server control unit 13 transmits, to the secondserver device 20, a disclosure request for information indicating thatthe user using the terminal device 30 is in the above-described specificstate. In response to the disclosure request, the information isdisclosed in the second service. Consequently, a user using the secondservice is able to know other users who are in the specific state basedon the information posted in the second service. Upon completion of theseries of processes in response to the third instruction, the firstserver control unit 13 transmits a notification of the completion of theseries of processes to the terminal device 30.

More specifically, in response to a fourth instruction from the terminaldevice 30, the first server control unit 13 associates the user usingthe terminal device 30 with other user specified in the fourthinstruction. More specifically, the first server control unit 13 adds,to the first follow list of the user, the first identificationinformation of the other user specified in the fourth instruction. Uponcompletion of a series of processes in response to the fourthinstruction, the first server control unit 13 transmits a notificationof the completion of the series of processes to the terminal device 30.

The operation of the first server device 10 controlled by the firstserver control unit 13 is not limited to the above example. For example,the first server control unit 13 may further execute any process otherthan the above-described process in conjunction with the second serverdevice 20 or the terminal device 30 or by the first server device 10alone.

Configuration of Second Server Device

The configuration of the second server device 20 will be specificallydescribed. The second server device 20 includes a second servercommunication unit 21, a second server storage unit 22, and a secondserver control unit 23.

The second server communication unit 21 includes one or more interfacesthat communicate with external devices in a wired or wireless manner andtransmit and receive information thereto/therefrom. The second servercommunication unit 21 may include, for example, a wireless LANcommunication module or a wired LAN communication module. The secondserver communication unit 21 is able to transmit and receive informationto and from the second server device 10 and the terminal devices 30respectively over the network.

The second server storage unit 22 includes one or more memory units. Thesecond server storage unit 22 may serves as, for example, a primarystorage or a secondary storage. The second server storage unit 22 may bebuilt in the second server device 20 or may be connected to the secondserver device 20 via an interface. The second server storage unit 22stores information and programs used for processing of informationdistribution. At least a part of the information and programs stored inthe second server storage unit 22 may be shared and synchronized withthe terminal devices 30.

For example, the second server storage unit 22 stores informationconcerning a plurality of users using the second service. FIG. 3illustrates information concerning two users among the plurality ofusers. The information concerning users may include any informationunique to the users. For example, the information concerning usersincludes the second identification information and user secondinformation. In the information concerning users, the user secondinformation is associated with the first identification information.

The second identification information is information that can uniquelyidentify users in the second service. The second identificationinformation may be, for example, a user name or a user ID used in thefirst service. The second identification information may be determinedautomatically, for example, when a user starts using the second service,or based on user input. Hereinafter, the second identificationinformation of a user may also be simply referred to as a “user”.

The user second information includes, for example, the second followlist. The second follow list includes second identification informationof other users associated with a user represented by the secondidentification information in the second service. The user secondinformation may further include any information other than the secondfollow list. For example, the user second information may furtherinclude account information for the user to use the second service, animage or an avatar of the user used in the second service, andinformation such as messages posted by the user in the second service.

The information stored in the second server storage unit 22 is notlimited to the above examples. The second server storage unit 22 mayfurther store any information used for operations of the second serverdevice 20.

The second server control unit 23 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or moreprocessors. The second server control unit 23 controls operations of thesecond server device 20 as a whole.

For example, the second server control unit 23 stores, in the secondserver storage unit 22, various types of information and programs usedfor processing of information distribution. The information used for theprocessing of information distribution may include the above-mentionedinformation concerning users using the second service.

For example, the second server control unit 23 performs transmission andreception of information via the second server communication unit 21.The second server control unit 23 may transmit at least a part ofinformation stored in the second server storage unit 22 to the terminaldevice(s) 30. In this way, the information stored in the second serverstorage unit 22 and the information stored in the terminal device(s) 30may be shared and synchronized with each other. A timing at whichsharing and synchronization of the information is performed may be, forexample, when new information is stored in the second server storageunit 22, when information stored in the second server storage unit 22 isupdated, but may be any predetermined timing. Further, for example, thesecond server control unit 23 may obtain any information input,determined, or generated in the terminal device(s) 30 via the secondserver communication unit 21.

For example, the second server control unit 23 performs processing ofinformation distribution in conjunction with the terminal device(s) 30.For example, in response to a disclosure request for information such asa message, the second server control unit 23 discloses the information.The disclosure request may be obtained from the terminal device 30 ormay be obtained from the first server device 10. Disclosure ofinformation may be executed in such a manner that only users of thesecond service can view it, or it may be executed in such a manner thatit can be viewed by all users accessible to the network.

Further, the second server control unit 23 cooperates with the terminaldevice 30 to execute, for example, an authentication process concerninglinking of the first service with the second service. The authenticationprocess may be executed using any authentication protocol such as theOAuth protocol. By the authentication process, the first service ispermitted to be linked with the second service. In this specification,the “permitted” state includes a state in which a predetermined processis actually executed when execution of the predetermined process isattempted. Whereas a “not permitted” state includes a state in which thepredetermined process is not executed even when execution of thepredetermined process is attempted. More specifically, through theauthentication process, a predetermined access right to a resourcerelated to the second service is given to a first application related tothe first service.

The operation of the second server device 20 controlled by the secondserver control unit 23 is not limited to the above example. For example,the second server control unit 23 may further execute any process otherthan the above-described process in conjunction with the first serverdevice 10 or the terminal device 30 or by the second server device 20alone.

Configuration of Terminal Device

The configuration of the terminal device 30 will be specificallydescribed. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 30 includes aterminal communication unit 31, a terminal storage unit 32, a displayunit 33, an input unit 34, and a terminal control unit 35.

The terminal communication unit 31 includes an interface thatcommunicates with an external device in a wired or wireless manner andtransmits and receives information. The terminal communication unit 31may include a wireless communication module that conforms with a mobilecommunication standard such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) (registeredtrademark), a wireless LAN communication module, a wired LANcommunication module, or the like. The terminal communication unit 31can transmit and receive information to and from the first server device10 over the network.

The terminal storage unit 32 includes one or more memory units. Theterminal storage unit 32 may serves as, for example, a primary storageor a secondary storage. The terminal storage unit 32 may be built in theterminal device 30 or may be connected to the terminal device 30 via aninterface.

The terminal storage unit 32 stores information and programs used forprocessing of a game related to the first service. For example, theterminal storage unit 32 may store an application program of a gameobtained from a predetermined application distribution server.Hereinafter, an application program may also be simply referred to as anapplication. An application of a game related to the first service isalso referred to as a first application. The terminal storage unit 32may store a part or all of information concerning a user using the firstservice, which is obtained from the first server device 10.

The terminal storage unit 32 stores information and programs used forprocessing of information distribution related to the second service.For example, the terminal storage unit 32 may store an application ofinformation distribution obtained from a predetermined applicationdistribution server. An application of information distribution relatedto the second service is also referred to as a second application. Thesecond application may be provided by a provider of the second service,for example, or may be provided by a third party other than the providerof the second service. The terminal storage unit 32 may store a part orall of information concerning a user using the second service, which isobtained from the second server device 20.

The information stored in the terminal storage unit 32 is not limited tothe above examples. The terminal storage unit 32 may further store anyinformation used for operations of the terminal device 30. For example,the terminal storage unit 32 may store a browser application forreproducing information resources on the network.

The display unit 33 may include a display device such as a liquidcrystal display and an organic EL display. The display unit 33 iscapable of displaying various screens.

The input unit 34 includes any input interface that receives a useroperation. The input interface may include, for example, a pointingdevice such as a mouse, a physical key, a touch panel integrallyprovided with the display unit 33, and the like.

The terminal control unit 35 includes one or more processors. Theterminal control unit 35 controls operations of the terminal device 30as a whole.

For example, the terminal control unit 35 transmits and receivesinformation via the terminal communication unit 31. Specifically, theterminal control unit 35 may obtain an application from a predeterminedapplication distribution server. More specifically, the terminal controlunit 35 may transmit and receive information to and from the firstserver device 10 and the second server device 20, respectively.

For example, the terminal control unit 35 activates the firstapplication in response to an operation of a user. In a state where thefirst application is activated, the terminal control unit 35 cooperateswith the first server device 10 to execute processing of the game.

Specifically, the terminal control unit 35 causes the display unit 33 todisplay a screen used for the game. On the screen, for example, aplurality of GUIs (Graphic User Interfaces) for detecting user operationmay be displayed. The terminal control unit 35 is able to detect a useroperation on the screen via the input unit 34.

More specifically, the terminal control unit 35 cooperates with thesecond server device 20 to execute, for example, an authenticationprocess concerning linking of the first service with the second service.The authentication process may be executed via the first application, orthe actual process may be executed on the server through theabove-described browser application. Specific example of screens (afirst screen and a second screen) displayed on the terminal device 30 atthe time of executing the authentication process will be describedlater.

When linking between the first service and the second service ispermitted by the authentication process, the terminal control unit 35transmits a first instruction to the first server device 10. The firstinstruction is an instruction to cause the first server device 10 toexecute linking between the first service and the second service. Morespecifically, the first instruction includes an instruction to cause thefirst server device 10 to store the second identification information ofa user using the terminal device 30 in association with the firstidentification information of the user. The first instruction mayinclude the second identification information of the user or may includean instruction to obtain the second identification information of theuser from the second server device 20. When the terminal control unit 35receives, from the first server device 10, a notification of completionof a series of processes responding to the first instruction, theterminal control unit 35 shows the completion of the series of processeson the display unit display unit. A specific example of a screen (athird screen) displayed on the terminal device 30 at the time ofexecution of linking between the first service and the second servicewill be described later.

More specifically, the terminal control unit 35 transmits the secondinstruction to the first server device 10. The second instructionincludes an instruction to cause the first server device 10 to obtainthe latest second follow list of the user (the first user) using theterminal device 30 from the second server device 20 and an instructionto give the first user a bonus associated with a predetermined otheruser (the second user) when the second identification information of thesecond user is included in the obtained second follow list. For example,the second user includes a user who is in the specific state in thefirst service as described above, but it is not limited thereto.

Transmission of the second instruction may be executed at any timing.For example, the terminal control unit 35 may execute the transmissionin response to occurrence of a second event in the game. The secondevent may include, for example, an event in which the screen isredirected to a predetermined screen in the game. Here, the screenconcerning the second event may be a screen having a probability ofbeing repeatedly displayed according to play of the game by the user.

For example, the screen displayed in response to the occurrence of thesecond event may be a home screen of the game. The home screen is ascreen for allowing a user to select one or more game parts included inthe game, for example. When a game part is selected on the home screen,for example, a display on the display unit 33 transitions to a screendedicated to the selected game part, and the game part is started. Aspecific example of the home screen (a fourth screen) displayed on theterminal device 30 in response to the occurrence of the second eventwill be described later.

Alternatively, the screen displayed in response to the occurrence of thesecond event may be a game title screen. The title screen is a screendisplayed, for example, at the start of the game, at the time ofresetting, at the time of updating the first application, and the like.For example, in response to user's operation on the title screen, thedisplay of the display unit 33 transitions to a predetermined gamescreen.

The transmission of the second instruction may be performed when apredetermined time or more has elapsed after a previous transmission ofthe second instruction. In such a case, when the predetermined time hasnot elapsed after the previous transmission of the second instruction,next transmission of the second instruction will not be performed evenif the second event occurs.

According to this configuration, it is possible to adjust transmissionfrequency of the second instruction appropriately. More specifically,for example, in the above-described API for acquiring the second followlist, when acquisition frequency of the second follow list is limited(for example, acquisition of the second follow list is performed up to15 times per 15 minutes), if the transmission frequency of the secondinstruction is too high, it becomes impossible to obtain the secondfollow list temporarily due to the limitation, which results ininconvenience. On the other hand, since the second follow list may beupdated at any time in the second service, if the frequency at which thesecond instruction is transmitted is too low, inconvenience such as useof an old second follow list may occur. Thus, by appropriately settingthe second event as the trigger to transmit the second instruction, thetransmission frequency of the second instruction can be adjusted, and inthis way the probability of occurrence of the above-mentionedinconvenience is reduced Further, since the next second instruction isallowed to be transmitted only when a predetermined time or more haselapsed since the previous transmission of the second instruction, it ispossible to decrease the probability that the transmission frequency ofthe second instruction becomes higher than necessary. Consequently theprobability of occurrence of the above inconvenience is further reduced.

When the terminal control unit 35 receives, from the first server device10, a notification of completion of the series of processes respondingto the second instruction, the terminal control unit 35 notifies thecompletion of the series of processes on the display unit 33. Asdescribed above, in cooperation with the first server device 10, theterminal control unit 35 enables and disables a game function accordingto a bonus given to a user. For example, the terminal control unit 35and the first server device 10 may enable a game function correspondingto a bonus when the bonus is given to a user. The terminal control unit35 and the first server device 10 may disable an enabled game function,for example after the elapse of a certain period of time.

More specifically, the terminal control unit 35 cooperates with thefirst server device 10 to control the state of a user who uses theterminal device 30 in the first service. For example, the terminalcontrol unit 35 and the first server device 10 may change the state of auser who uses the terminal device 30 from the normal state to thespecific state in response to occurrence of the above-mentioned firstevent related to the user. The terminal control unit 35 and the firstserver device 10 may dissolve the specific state of the user after theelapse of a certain period of time.

While the user is in the specific state, the terminal control unit 35cooperates with the terminal device 10 as described above to activate agame effect in which the user can more advantageously play the game forthe user.

The terminal control unit 35 may transmit the third instruction to thefirst server device 10 when the user enters the specific state. Thethird instruction includes an instruction to cause the first serverdevice 10 to transmit, to the second server device 20, a disclosurerequest for information such as a message indicating that the user is inthe specific state. That is, the terminal control unit 35 may transmitthe information disclosure request to the second server device 20 viathe first server device 10. When the terminal control unit 35 receives,from the first server device 10, a notification of completion of aseries of processes responding to the third instruction, the terminalcontrol unit 35 shows the completion of the series of processes on thedisplay unit 33.

Alternatively, when the user enters the specific state, the terminalcontrol unit 35 may interrupt the first application and activate theabove-described second application. The second application may transmit,to the second server device 20, for example, a disclosure request forinformation such as a message or the like input in an input form througha user operation. That is, the terminal control unit 35 may transmit theinformation disclosure request to the second server device 20 via thesecond application. Here, the terminal control unit 35 that executes thefirst application may automatically input information such as a messageindicating that the user is in the specific state on the input form ofthe second application. In such a case, the second application isactivated with the information entered in the input form.

Alternatively, when the user enters the specific state, the terminalcontrol unit 35 may transmit, to the second server device 20, thedisclosure request of information such as a message indicating that theuser of the terminal device 30 is in the specific state. That is, theterminal control unit 35 may transmit the information disclosure requestto the second server device 20 via the first application withoutinvolvement of either the first server device 10 or the secondapplication.

A specific example of a screen (a sixth screen) displayed on theterminal device 30 at the time of transmitting the disclosure requestvia the first application or the second application will be describedlater. When the process of transmitting the disclosure request iscompleted, the terminal control unit 35 displays the completion of thetransmission process on the display unit 33.

More specifically, the terminal control unit 35 displays, for eachenabled game function, other user(s) associated with a bonus related tothe game function such that the user can select the shown other users.In other words, the terminal control unit 35 shows one or more otherusers whose corresponding game function is enabled in a mannerselectable for the user using the terminal device 30, from among otherusers in the specific state included in the second follow list of theuser. A specific example of a screen (a fifth screen) for displayingother users selectably will be described later.

When at least one other user is selected from among the one or moredisplayed other users, the terminal control unit 35 transmits the fourthinstruction to the first server device 10. The fourth instruction is aninstruction to associate the selected other user with the user who usesthe terminal device 30 in the game related to the first service. Morespecifically, the fourth instruction is an instruction to add the firstidentification information of the selected other user to the firstfollow list of the user using the terminal device 30. According to thisconfiguration, it is possible for the user of the terminal device 30 tofollow, also in the first service, other user(s) that the user followsin the second service. When the terminal control unit 35 receives, fromthe first server device 10, a notification of completion of the seriesof processes responding to the fourth instruction, the terminal controlunit 35 notifies the completion of the series of processes on thedisplay unit 33.

The operation of the terminal device 30 controlled by the terminalcontrol unit 35 is not limited to the above example. For example, theterminal control unit 35 may further execute any process other than theabove-described process in conjunction with the first server device 10or the second server device 20 or by the terminal device 30 alone.

Screen Displayed on Terminal Device

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the first screen 40 and the secondscreen 50 displayed on the terminal device 30 at the time of theabove-described authentication process, and the third screen 60displayed on the terminal device at the time of execution of linkingbetween the first service and the second service will be described.

Upon starting the authentication process, the terminal control unit 35that executes the first application displays the first screen 40 shownin FIG. 4 on the display unit 33. The first screen 40 includes a messagedisplay area 41 and a link button 42.

The information display area 41 is an area to display information suchas a message for confirming user's intention to perform linking betweenthe first service and the second service. The link button 42 is a GUIfor receiving a user operation. Upon detecting a user operation on thelink button 42, the terminal control unit 35 works together with thesecond server device 20 to display the second screen 50 shown in FIG. 5on the display unit 33. The second screen 50 may be displayed on thefirst application or may be displayed on a browser application activatedby interrupting the first application. The second screen 50 includes afirst input form 51, a second input form 52, and an authenticationbutton 53.

The first input form 51 is an area for inputting a user ID for loggingin to the second service. The second input form 52 is an area forinputting a password for logging in to the second service. Theauthentication button 53 is a GUI for receiving a user operation. Upondetecting a user operation on the authentication button 53, the terminalcontrol unit 35 works with the second server device 20 to execute theabove-described authentication process. For example, when it isdetermined that the user ID and the password input to the first inputform 51 and the second input form 52 are correct, the authenticationprocess is completed. Upon the completion of the authentication process,the terminal control unit 35 transmits the above-described firstinstruction to the first server device 10. When the terminal controlunit 35 receives, from the first server device 10, a notification ofcompletion of the series of processes responding to the firstinstruction, the terminal control unit 35 displays the third screen 60shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 33. The third screen 60 may bedisplayed on the first application or may be displayed on a browserapplication activated by interrupting the first application. The thirdscreen 60 includes an information display area 61 and an OK button 62.

The information display area 61 is an area in which information such asa message indicating the completion of the series of processes accordingto the above-mentioned first instruction is displayed. The OK button 62is a GUI for receiving a user operation. Upon detecting a user'soperation on the OK button 62, the terminal control unit 35 redirectsthe screen on the display unit 33 to a game screen.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the fourth screen 70 displayed on thedisplay unit 33 of the terminal device 30 will be specificallydescribed. The fourth screen 70 is displayed in response to occurrenceof the above-described second event. The fourth screen 70 shown in FIG.7 is an example of the above-mentioned home screen. The fourth screen 70includes a game content image 71, a notification area 72, and threeredirect buttons 73, 74, and 75. Any number of redirect buttons may beprovided as needed.

The game content image 71 is, for example, an image of a game content(for example, a character) possessed by the user in a game. Thenotification area 72 is an area to show information such as a messagefor notifying the user of enabled game functions. For example, in thenotification area 72 shown in FIG. 7, a message indicating that threegame functions are available is displayed. The notification area 72 mayfunction as a GUI for receiving a user operation. Upon detecting a useroperation on the notification area 72, the terminal control unit 35works with, for example, the first server device 10 to redirect thescreen on the display unit 33 to the fifth screen, which will bedescribed later.

The redirect buttons 73, 74, and 75 are provided corresponding todifferent game parts. Each of the redirect buttons 73, 74, and 75 is aGUI for receiving a user operation. Upon detecting a user operation onany of the redirect buttons 73, 74, or 75, the terminal control unit 35works with, for example, the first server device 10 to redirect thescreen on the display unit 33 to a screen dedicated to a game partcorresponding to the button and starts the game part. For example, inresponse to a user operation on the redirect button redirect, a gamepart A for performing reinforcement, deletion and the like of a gamecontent possessed by the user in the game may be started. In response toa user operation on the transition button 74, a game part B forselecting a quest or a mission which the user challenges in the game maybe started. In response to a user operation on the transition button 75,a game part C for acquiring a game content such as an item and a virtualcurrency usable by the user in the game may be started. However, thecontent of the game part corresponding to each of the transition buttons73, 74, and 75 is not limited to the examples described above and may beany contents.

With reference to FIG. 8, the above-described fifth screen 80 will bespecifically described. The fifth screen 80 is a screen for displaying,for each enabled game function, other user(s) corresponding to the gamefunction such that the user can select the other user(s). The fifthscreen 80 includes one or more user display areas 81, one or morecontrol buttons 82, and a back button 83.

The one or more user display areas 81 are provided so as to correspondone or more other users respectively whose corresponding game functionis enabled from among other users in the specific state included in thesecond follow list of the user using the terminal device 30. The userdisplay areas 81 are areas in which any information about thecorresponding other users are displayed. For example, in the exampleshown in FIG. 8, three user display areas 81 (81 a, 81 b, and 81 c) aredisplayed. In each user display area 81, three pieces of information:the user ID of the corresponding other user in the second service, agame function corresponding to the other user, and a expiration dateindicating the timing at which the game function is disabled, are shown.

One or more control buttons 82 are provided corresponding to one or moreuser display areas 81 described above. The control buttons 82 are GUIsfor receiving a user operation. For example, in the example shown inFIG. 8, three control buttons 82 (82 a, 82 b, and 82 c) are displayedFor example, a message such as “follow” or “unfollow” may be shown onthe control buttons 82.

More specifically, when the first identification information of otheruser corresponding to the control button 82 is not included in the firstfollow list of the user of the terminal device 30, the terminal controlunit 35 displays the message “follow” on the control button 82. Whendetecting a user operation on the control button 82 on which the“follow” message is displayed, the terminal control unit 35 works withthe first server device 10 to add the first identification informationof the other user corresponding to the control button 82 to the firstfollow list of the user of the terminal device 30.

Whereas when the first identification information of the other usercorresponding to the control button 82 is included in the first followlist of the user of the terminal device 30, the terminal control unit 35displays the message “unfollow” on the control button 82. When detectinga user operation on the control button 82 on which the “unfollow”message is displayed, the terminal control unit 35 works with the firstserver device 10 to delete the first identification of the other usercorresponding to the control button 82 from the first follow list of theuser of the terminal device 30.

According to this, it is possible to visually recognize other userscorresponding to an enabled game function at a glance. In addition, theuser is able to simply add other user(s) included in the second followlist of the user to the first follow list of the user or delete otheruser(s) from the first follow list only by operating the controlbutton(s) 82. Since the user can manage the first follow list with asimple user operation in this manner, the user operation becomes lesscomplicated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the sixth screen 90 displayed on thedisplay unit 33 of the terminal device 30 will be specificallydescribed. The sixth screen 90 is a screen displayed on the terminaldevice 30 at the time of transmitting the disclosure request via thefirst application or the second application as described above. Morespecifically, the sixth screen 90 may be displayed on the secondapplication activated by interrupting the first application when theuser using the terminal device 30 enters the specific state as describedabove. Alternatively, the sixth screen 90 may be displayed on the firstapplication when the user using the terminal device 30 becomes thespecific state as described above. The sixth screen 90 includes an inputform 91 and a post button 92.

The input form 91 is, for example, an area for inputting informationsuch as a message. The terminal control unit 35 automatically inputspredetermined information to the input form. For example, thepredetermined information may include a message indicating that the userusing the terminal device 30 is in the specific state (for example, themessage “the first user is in the specific state” in FIG. 9). Thepredetermined information includes a message about a bonus to be givento other user(s) when the other user(s) adds the second identificationinformation of the user using the terminal device 30 to the secondfollow list of the other user(s) (for example, a message indicating agame function corresponding to the bonus, etc.). The predeterminedinformation may include an expiration date or time indicating when thegame function corresponding to the bonus is disabled The predeterminedinformation may include a URI for allowing other user(s) to add thesecond identification information of the user using the terminal device30 to the second follow list (for example, URL of a web page forfollowing the user in the second service, etc.). The predeterminedinformation is not limited to the example described above, and mayinclude, for example, a title of the game, a URI for downloading thefirst application, and the like. The terminal control unit 35 may modifythe information in the input form 91 according to user's operation.

The post button 92 is a GUI for receiving a user operation. When a useroperation on the post button 92 is detected, the terminal control unit35 transmits a disclosure request of the information input to the inputform 91 to the second server device 20.

First Operation of Information Processing System

A first operation of the information processing system 1 will be nowdescribed with reference to FIG. 10. The first operation includes anoperation related to linking between the first service and the secondservice.

Step S100: The terminal device 30 works with the second server device 20to execute an authentication process concerning linking between thefirst service and the second service. When the authentication process isexecuted, the terminal device 30 may display the first screen 40 and thesecond screen 50 described above.

Step S101: After linking between the first service and the secondservice is permitted through the authentication process, the terminalcontrol unit 30 transmits the first instruction to the first serverdevice 10. The first instruction includes an instruction to cause thefirst server device 10 to store the second identification information ofthe user using the terminal device 30 in association with the firstidentification information of the user.

Step S102: In response to the first instruction from the terminal device30, the first server control unit 10 obtains the second identificationinformation of the user who uses the terminal device 30 and stores thesecond identification information in association with the firstidentification information of the user.

Step S103: Upon completion of the series of processes in response to thefirst instruction, the first server device 10 transmits a notificationof the completion of the series of processes to the terminal device 30.

Step S104: The terminal device 30 obtains from the first server device10 the notification of completion of the series of processes respondingto the first instruction.

Step S105: The terminal device 30 displays completion of the series ofprocesses responding to the first instruction. Specifically, theterminal device 30 may display the above-described third screen 60.

Second Operation of Information Processing System

A second operation of the information processing system 1 will be nowdescribed with reference to FIG. 11. The second operation includesoperations related to giving the bonus as described above.

Step S200: The terminal device 30 transmits the second instruction tothe first server device 10. The second instruction includes aninstruction to cause the first server device 10 to obtain the latestsecond follow list of the user (the first user) using the terminaldevice 30 from the second server device 20 and an instruction to givethe first user a bonus associated with a predetermined other user (thesecond user) when the second identification information of the seconduser is included in the obtained second follow list. As described above,the second user may include a user who is in the specific state in thefirst service as described above, but it is not limited thereto.

Step S201: The first server device 10 obtains the latest second followlist of the first user from the second server device 20 in response tothe second instruction from the terminal device.

Step S202: The first server device 10 determines whether the secondidentification information of the second user is included in the secondfollow list obtained in step S201. Here, it is assumed that it isdetermined that the second identification information of the second useris included in the second follow list.

Step S203: When it is determined that the second follow list obtained instep S201 includes the second identification information of the seconduser, the first server device 10 gives a bonus associated with thesecond user to the first user.

Step S204: Upon completion of the series of processes in response to thesecond instruction, the first server device 10 transmits a notificationof the completion of the series of processes to the terminal device 30.

Step S205: The terminal device 30 obtains from the first server device10 the notification of completion of the series of processes respondingto the second instruction.

Step S206: The terminal device 30 displays completion of the series ofprocesses responding to the second instruction.

As described above, the terminal device 30 according to the embodimenttransmits the first instruction to cause the first server device 10 tostore the second identification information of the user (the first user)of the terminal device 30 in association with the first identificationinformation. The terminal device 30 transmits the second instruction tocause the first server device 10 to obtain the second follow list of thefirst user from the second server device 20 and cause the first serverdevice 10 to give the first user the bonus corresponding to the seconduser when the second follow list includes the second identification ofthe second user. According to this, the first user is able to receivethe bonus from the first server device 10 that is used to provide thefirst service by following the second user in the second service. Inthis way, it is possible to give users motivation to use both the firstservice and the second service with the terminal device 30 of theembodiment. Consequently use of the service by users are promoted.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to theaccompanying drawings and embodiment, it should be noted that variouschanges and modifications can be made as would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure. Therefore, any suchchanges and modifications are intended to be included within the spiritand scope of the disclosure. For example, a function and the likeincluded in each means, each step and the like can be relocated as longas it does not logically contradict, and a plurality of means, steps orthe like may be combined into a single means or step or may be divided.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 30may execute a part or all of the operations and processes executed bythe first server device 10 or the second server device 20. For example,the processes in steps S201, S202, and S203 in FIG. 11 may be executedby the terminal device 30. Likewise, the first server device 10 or thesecond server device 20 may execute a part of the operations performedby the terminal device 30. For example, any one of the first serverdevice 10, the second server device and the terminal device 30 mayexecute processes concerning display control of various screensdisplayed on the terminal device 30 and control of various GUIs.Alternatively such processes may be executed by the server device 10 orthe second server device 20 in conjunction with the terminal device 30.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of the operations of theinformation processing system 1 has been described with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. However, some steps included in the operations, or someoperations included in one step may be omitted The order of a pluralityof steps may be changed to the extent where the steps do not logicallycontradict to each other. Moreover, there may be any other step betweenthe steps.

In the above embodiment, at least a part of the screen displayed on theterminal device 30 is displayed as a web page display on the terminaldevice 30 based on the data created by the first server device 10 or thesecond server device 20, and at least another part of the screen may bedisplayed as a native display that is displayed by a native application(the first application or the second application) installed in theterminal device 30. In this manner, the game in the above-describedembodiment may be a hybrid game in which the first server device 10 andthe terminal device 30 execute corresponding parts of the processrespectively.

Moreover, to realize the first server device 10, the second serverdevice 20, or the terminal device 30 of the above-described embodiment,an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a smart phone orthe like may be preferably used. Such an information processingapparatus stores a program describing a process for realizing thefunction of the first server device 10, the second server device 20, orthe terminal device 30 according to the embodiment respectively in astorage unit of the information processing apparatus. The function canbe realized by reading the program by the CPU of the informationprocessing apparatus and executing the program.

1. A computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed, causes a terminal device toeffectuate operations, the terminal device being communicable with (i) afirst server device that provides a first server service to a pluralityof first service users and (ii) a second server device that provides asecond server service to a plurality of second service users, each ofthe plurality of first service users being identified by firstidentification information, and each of the plurality of second serviceusers being identified by second identification information, theoperations comprising: transmitting, to the first server device, a bonusrequest to give a first user a bonus corresponding to a second user, thefirst user being one of the plurality of first service users, and thefirst user and the second user each being one of the plurality of secondservice users, wherein: the bonus is given upon determination that thesecond identification information of the second user is included in listinformation associated with the first user, the list informationcomprising the second identification information of each of one or moreof the plurality of second service users associated with the first user,and the bonus corresponding to the second user is given to the firstuser in the first server service.
 2. The computer-readable tangiblenon-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the second user is oneof the plurality of first service users, and wherein the second user isin a specific state, the specific state being dissolved when apredetermined condition is satisfied.
 3. The computer-readable tangiblenon-transitory storage medium of claim 2, wherein the operations furthercomprise: requesting that the first server device transmit, to thesecond server device, a disclosure request for information indicatingthat the first user is in the specific state.
 4. The computer-readabletangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 2, wherein theoperations further comprise: activating an application capable oftransmitting, to the second server device, a disclosure request forinformation input in an input form; and automatically inputting, in theinput form of the application, information indicating that the firstuser is in the specific state.
 5. The computer-readable tangiblenon-transitory storage medium of claim 2, wherein the operations furthercomprise: transmitting, to the second server device, a disclosurerequest for information indicating that the first user is in thespecific state.
 6. The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storagemedium of claim 2, wherein the second user enters the specific state inresponse to an occurrence of a first event related to the second user.7. The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium of claim6, wherein the first event includes an event occurring in a game playedby the second user.
 8. The computer-readable tangible non-transitorystorage medium of claim 1, wherein the bonus request is transmitted inresponse to an occurrence of a second event in a game executed by theterminal device.
 9. The computer-readable tangible non-transitorystorage medium of claim 8, wherein the second event includes an event inwhich a screen is redirected to a predetermined screen in the game. 10.The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 1,wherein another bonus request is transmitted after a predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed after the bonus request was transmitted. 11.The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: enabling a game functioncorresponding to the bonus in a game executed by the terminal device.12. The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium ofclaim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: disabling the enabledgame function when a predetermined period of time has elapsed or when anumber of times of execution of a game process corresponding to the gamefunction reaches a predetermined number.
 13. The computer-readabletangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 11, wherein a number ofenabled game functions that exist simultaneously is limited.
 14. Thecomputer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 11,wherein the operations further comprise: requesting that the firstserver device associate the first user with one or more other users inthe game executed by the terminal device.
 15. The computer-readabletangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the listinformation is stored in the second server device.
 16. Thecomputer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium of claim 15,wherein the list information is transmitted from the second serverdevice to the first server device and stored in the first server device.17. The computer-readable tangible non-transitory storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein the list information is transmitted from the secondserver device to the first server device upon a transmission requestfrom the terminal device.
 18. The computer-readable tangiblenon-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the bonus is providedto the first user in the first server service without requiring an inputfrom the first user after the second user appears in the listinformation.
 19. A terminal device comprising: a communication unitcapable of communicating with (i) a first server device that provides afirst server service to a plurality of first service users and (ii) asecond server device that provides a second server service to aplurality of second service users, wherein each of the plurality offirst service users is a member of the first server service provided bythe first server device and identified by first identificationinformation, and wherein each of the plurality of second service usersis a member of the second server service provided by the second serverdevice and identified by second identification information; a displayunit; and a control unit configured to transmit, to the first serverdevice, a bonus request to give a first user a bonus corresponding to asecond user, the first user being one of the plurality of first serviceusers, and the first user and the second user each being one of theplurality of second service users wherein: the bonus is given upondetermination that the second identification information of the seconduser is included in list information associated with the first user, thelist information comprises the second identification information of eachof one or more of the plurality of second service users associated withthe first user, and the bonus corresponding to the second user is givento the first user in the first server service.
 20. An informationprocessing system comprising: a first server device that provides afirst server service to a plurality of first service users, each of theplurality of first service users being a member of a first serviceprovided by the first server device and identified by firstidentification information; and a terminal device capable ofcommunicating with the first server device and a second server device,the second server device providing a second server service to aplurality of second service users, and each of the plurality of secondservice users being a member of the second server service provided bythe second server device and identified by second identificationinformation, wherein: the terminal device transmits a bonus request tothe first server device, and in response to the bonus request from theterminal device, the first server device gives a first user a bonuscorresponding to a second user, the first user being one of theplurality of first service users, and the first user and the second usereach being one of the plurality of second service users, wherein: thebonus is given upon determination that the second identificationinformation of the second user is included in list informationassociated with the first user, the list information comprises thesecond identification information of each of one or more of theplurality of second service users associated with the first user, andthe bonus corresponding to the second user is given to the first user inthe first service.